Euro Truck Simulator 2 Complete Guide: Tips, Builds & Hidden Secrets
Key Takeaways
- Start with the Iveco Stralis or a used truck to preserve capital for loans and upgrades.
- Focus skill points on Long Distance and High Value cargo first; these yield the highest income per hour.
- Use quick jobs to test different trucks before committing to a purchase.
- Hidden secrets: police cars, scenic viewpoints, and the secret road near the Baltic Sea add immersion and photo opportunities.
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Getting Started: Your First 10 Hours in Euro Truck Simulator 2
You’ve just bought the game, or maybe you’re returning after a long break. Either way, those first few hours can feel overwhelming. The map is enormous, the truck selection is confusing, and the loan system looks like a trap. I’ve been playing since 2012, and I’ve made every mistake you can imagine. Let me save you the headache.
Choose Your Starting Truck Wisely
Don’t fall for the shiny new Scania or Volvo right away. The best starter truck is the Iveco Stralis (around €80,000) or a used truck from the dealer. Used trucks cost 30-50% less and often have decent mileage. I bought a used DAF XF with 150,000 km for €45,000, and it lasted me 200,000 more km without major issues. The key is to avoid taking a huge loan. A €100,000 loan at 8% interest eats into your profits for hours.
Starter Truck Comparison Table
| Truck | New Price | Used Price (approx) | Best For |
| ------- | ----------- | --------------------- | ---------- |
| Iveco Stralis | €80,000 | €45,000 | Beginners, fuel economy |
| DAF XF | €90,000 | €50,000 | Balanced performance |
| MAN TGX | €95,000 | €55,000 | Comfortable cabins |
| Scania R-series | €110,000 | €65,000 | Power, but expensive |
My advice: take a €30,000 loan max, buy a used Iveco or DAF, and spend the rest on a good GPS and a fuel tank upgrade.
Skill Points: Don’t Waste Them
You earn skill points every level up. Spend them like this:
- Level 1-10: All points into Long Distance. This unlocks jobs paying €50-150 per km instead of €20-30. You’ll hit level 10 in about 3-4 hours if you stick to quick jobs.
- Level 11-20: Split between High Value Cargo and Just-in-Time delivery. High value cargo pays 20-30% more per job.
- Level 21+: Add Fragile and ADR (hazardous materials). ADR pays a premium but requires a special license (costs €1,000).
Pro tip: never put points into Eco Driving early. It only reduces fuel consumption by 5-10% – not worth it when you’re earning €2 per km.
Quick Jobs vs. Freight Market
Until you own a truck, you’ll do quick jobs. These are fine, but the pay is lower. Once you buy a truck, use the Freight Market directly – you can filter by cargo type, length, and price. I make €15-20 per km on average with a mid-level truck, compared to €8-12 on quick jobs.
Hidden Secrets Every New Player Should Know
Euro Truck Simulator 2 has a few hidden gems that make the game more enjoyable:
1. Secret Road near the Baltic Sea (requires Scandinavia DLC): North of Gdansk, there’s a dirt road leading to a lighthouse. It’s not on the GPS. Drive past the last rest stop and look for a break in the fence. You’ll find a beautiful viewpoint and a small ferry dock.
2. Police Cars: Park at a truck stop and wait. You’ll see police cars drive by occasionally. They don’t interact, but they add realism.
3. The “Hidden” Achievement: Deliver cargo to all 12 cities in the base game without taking any damage – unlocks a special paint job. It’s tough but rewarding.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Taking a €200,000 loan: You’ll pay €2,000 per week in interest. That’s a full job’s profit gone.
- Skipping rest stops: Fatigue simulation is real. After 11 hours of driving, you’ll get drowsy. Stop at a rest area (marked with a bed icon) for 9 hours.
- Ignoring the map zoom: Press F5 to zoom in/out. Helps plan routes around traffic jams (yes, they exist).
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FAQ
Q: Should I buy a garage early?
A: No. Wait until you have at least €200,000 in cash. Garages cost €100,000 to buy and €180,000 to upgrade to 5 bays. You can hire drivers for €500 each, but they earn you money slowly. Focus on your own truck first.
Q: What’s the fastest way to level up?
A: Do quick jobs with Long Distance skill points. A 2,000 km job from Paris to Warsaw pays €15,000 and gives 3,000 XP. That’s about 30 minutes of real time if you use cruise control and avoid traffic.
Q: Are there any cheat codes or money glitches?
A: No official cheats. But you can edit the config file (config.cfg) to set `g_income_factor` to 2.0 – doubles all job payments. This breaks the economy, but some players use it to speed things up. I don’t recommend it; the grind is part of the fun.
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Final Thoughts
Euro Truck Simulator 2 is a game about patience and planning. The first 10 hours are the hardest, but once you have a decent truck and a few skill points, the open road feels liberating. Remember: slow down on sharp turns, use your mirrors, and never trust AI drivers at roundabouts. Happy trucking.